· More fibre
Take more fiber like whole grains, oatmeal, oat bran, wheat bran
and vegetables. They are great help in keeping a regular bowel.

Fruity Power
Take fruits between meals to aid digestion and help constipation.

· Banana snacks
Bananas are natural mild laxative. Take two ripe yellow bananas
after meals, perhaps for afternoon tea, will help relieve constipation.
However, do not combine bananas at mealtimes.

Take only ripe bananas as green ones give constipation.
Also avoid over ripe bananas with blackened skin. A ripe banana
should have bright yellow skin and its flesh is studded with small
black dots.

· Apple
The humble apple is great for regulating the bowels. There is
indeed truth in the old adage: an apple a day, keep the doctor
away. It also help clean the teeth and tongue. Peel and chew on
the apple for an hour after meal.

· Peaches
Take one or two peaches about an hour after meal.

· Raisins and prunes
Prunes or a handful of raisins every day too can be effective
in preventing constipation. Take them an hour after meals.

· Pineapple juice
Have some pineapple juice. It is effective in regulating the bowels.

· Flaxseed
Take this remedy at night. Boil 1 tablespoon of flaxseed in a
cup of water for 2 to 3 minutes and drink everything, seeds and
tea.

· Ghee and Milk
This gentle but effective way of relieving constipation is good
for both vata and pitta individuals with constipation. Add 1 or
2 teaspoons of ghee to a cup of hot milk and drink at bedtime.

· Triphala drink
This triphala combination of herbal drink is probably the best
Ayurveda cure for constipation for all dosha types: pitta, vata
and kapha.

Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of triphala to a cup
of hot water, steep for 5 to 10 minutes and drink. It may have
a diuretic effect on some people. If this is so, steep triphala
overnight and drink it first thing in the morning when you get
up so you don’t have to disrupt your sleep getting up a
few times to urinate.

For children with constipation:

· Figs
Soak 3 figs in warm water and drink.

For pregnant women:

· Sat isabgol with milk
Take one teaspoon of sat isabgol also known as psyllium husk,
with a glass of warm milk

Ghee and milk is also good for reliving constipation
for expectant women. DO NOT take castor oil or any drastic purgatives
like triphala as it would irritate the unborn child and make the
baby hyperactive.

Aid for severe constipation:

· Triphala tea or dashamoola enema
Using drastic purgatives when constipation is severe can cause
an intestinal obstruction, or perforation which is dangerous.
It is safer to do an enema with plain water or use triphala or
dashamoola tea to regulate bowel movements.

· Castor Oil and ginger tea
For really severe constipation, take castor oil with ginger tea
before bedtime. Boil some freshly, sliced ginger in water or add
some powdered ginger to a cup of hot water. Add 2 – 4 teaspoons
of castor oil, according to desired result, to the tea and drink.
Adjust the dose to what works for you.

Some people may have a dependency on castor oil.
However, it can still be effective in regulating a good bowel
movement without creating a dependency. Take only 2 teaspoons
of castor oil with a cup of warm milk.

Because you may need more time going to the toilet,
it is best to take this treatment during the weekends at home.

Just for prevention:
To prevent constipation, try the following:

· Keep a vata-pacifying diet
· Take lots of warm plain water, 4= 5 glasses each day
and add juice or tea if you like
· Take a lot of fiber
· Exercise regularly
· Yoga exercises like nauli can be helpful
· Yoga asanas like the Sun Salutation, Chest-Knee pose,
and Leg Lift can also help prevent constipation